Love us or leave us. Certain things are peculiar of the Indian in us. Take for instance our inclination towards anything that’s chaotic in nature. And what’s even typical is our ability to move on despite the world crumbling around us.
For those who choose to differ, how about the numerous break-ins you got involved to get that movie ticket before anybody else? Or the utter chaos you created in your attempt to reserve your seat in the bus? What’s even heart breaking is that all your efforts goes for a royal toss when a damsel in distress self-appoints you as her knight in shinning arm to point at you, ’ladies seat’. You leave the seat. But never mind. Tomorrow comes and you continue to do the same.
Just the other day, the H and I went for the much married type of shopping (monthly grocery). The air was politically tense but that didn’t deter us to venture out. The moment we picked the first stuff from the unending list, trouble started. Stones were pelted and glasses were broken. We were huddled in one corner for few minutes. However, the spine chilling action was too much to miss. Not only us but everyone in the mall decided to not be just mere supporting actors in this real life drama.
Guess how did we contribute in the action sequence? We kept on shopping like there’s no tomorrow. Running from one corner to another, none of us gave a heed to the broken pieces of glasses lying scattered all over the place or the slogans of the activists shouting outside. It took us to a new high and needless to say I got carried away with my part. And overshot my budget.
At the end, it took the closing announcement from the authorities to drive us out. Else we would have attained our much awaited stardom…
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Monday, November 2, 2009
Today is not the day
Today is one such day when I am just not upto it. Lost in thought with complete loss of words. Nothing seems to be in place. Neither my mind nor my heart.
All I want to do is pack-up and go to a place in Lonely Planet where solitude would greet me with open arms. Mallless and mobile free world where I can completely enjoy the company of me. No responsibilities. No expectations. No holding back.
Do you also feel the same at times? Do let me if know if I’m the only odd one out?
All I want to do is pack-up and go to a place in Lonely Planet where solitude would greet me with open arms. Mallless and mobile free world where I can completely enjoy the company of me. No responsibilities. No expectations. No holding back.
Do you also feel the same at times? Do let me if know if I’m the only odd one out?
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Break Time
Of family gatherings and endless pampering
Of mouth-watering delicacies
Of sweets that I never get to eat otherwise
Of mindless shopping and reckless haggling
Of cousins exchanging notes
Of lengthy conversations in ‘oh-so-my-language’
Of adda sessions that never seems to end
Of days filled with celebrations
Of days without any deadline to rush
This was a vacation much different.
No planning. No sight seeing.
Just bonding with the roots I’ve forgotten.
With Tagore songs.
With Bangla literature.
With everything I’ve not done for quite some time.
Indeed my heart cries for ‘more’.
So I’m left waiting for the next opportunity to come.
Of mouth-watering delicacies
Of sweets that I never get to eat otherwise
Of mindless shopping and reckless haggling
Of cousins exchanging notes
Of lengthy conversations in ‘oh-so-my-language’
Of adda sessions that never seems to end
Of days filled with celebrations
Of days without any deadline to rush
This was a vacation much different.
No planning. No sight seeing.
Just bonding with the roots I’ve forgotten.
With Tagore songs.
With Bangla literature.
With everything I’ve not done for quite some time.
Indeed my heart cries for ‘more’.
So I’m left waiting for the next opportunity to come.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Nothing is forever.
How true. Gone are the days of Chitrahaar and Rangoli for which I still remember the amount of begging I did or the number of sums I finished half-heartedly in a losing bargain with my dad. My TV addiction got completely cured with time and now when I do get time, I despise staring at the idiot box.
My days of hitch-hiking to college were also short lived as were the friendship I made on my way. Every mode of transport I tried and now the time has come when jam packed busses give me a scare.
My “who cares” days were cut short too. And with it disappeared my boy-cut hairdo and extra large clothing. Marriage finally took me over and responsibilities mellowed me down. Today, I care for every relative, their opinion on my dressing sense, my better halves favourite colour etc…the list goes endless.
The most unfortunate of all is that my foodie heart has learnt to compromise. Earlier nothing less than a Biryani would do for me whereas now a low calorie sub without mayo or cheese suffices. “People should love me the way I am” has died a premature death. And I make every effort to look good and work hard to keep my age a supreme secret.
Wish we would never grow up and let things be the way they were always.
My days of hitch-hiking to college were also short lived as were the friendship I made on my way. Every mode of transport I tried and now the time has come when jam packed busses give me a scare.
My “who cares” days were cut short too. And with it disappeared my boy-cut hairdo and extra large clothing. Marriage finally took me over and responsibilities mellowed me down. Today, I care for every relative, their opinion on my dressing sense, my better halves favourite colour etc…the list goes endless.
The most unfortunate of all is that my foodie heart has learnt to compromise. Earlier nothing less than a Biryani would do for me whereas now a low calorie sub without mayo or cheese suffices. “People should love me the way I am” has died a premature death. And I make every effort to look good and work hard to keep my age a supreme secret.
Wish we would never grow up and let things be the way they were always.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Missing U
The truth is ‘Relationship’ doesn’t come with a warranty card.
Yet, the over enthusiastic heart always think otherwise.
Take for instance, my second hand Maruti 800 which didn’t come with tall promises.
And I never realized that my association with my old car would run deep. Much deeper than I thought.
So, what if it didn’t have any power steering? And I had to gather all my might while steering the wheels when it was fully loaded.
So, what if its suspension and brake were showing traces of aging? And driving uphill always came with the double risk of automatically reaching downhill on a reverse note.
So, what if its horn were due retirement for long? And almost every night after work would refuse to blow.
Still it was mine. Treading through the chaotic lanes of my city S.
Never failing me. Never refusing to take me home.
Today, when it’s long gone, I cherish the odd hours when me and my old car would together travel miles in the deserted lanes, feeling safe in the company of each other.
The day I exchanged it for a new one, my heart ached and my eyes kept searching for the familiar grey.
But it was gone even before I blinked my eye. Didn’t even get a chance to say bye.
All I do is pray so that the old fellow does get it much earned retirement.
Yet, the over enthusiastic heart always think otherwise.
Take for instance, my second hand Maruti 800 which didn’t come with tall promises.
And I never realized that my association with my old car would run deep. Much deeper than I thought.
So, what if it didn’t have any power steering? And I had to gather all my might while steering the wheels when it was fully loaded.
So, what if its suspension and brake were showing traces of aging? And driving uphill always came with the double risk of automatically reaching downhill on a reverse note.
So, what if its horn were due retirement for long? And almost every night after work would refuse to blow.
Still it was mine. Treading through the chaotic lanes of my city S.
Never failing me. Never refusing to take me home.
Today, when it’s long gone, I cherish the odd hours when me and my old car would together travel miles in the deserted lanes, feeling safe in the company of each other.
The day I exchanged it for a new one, my heart ached and my eyes kept searching for the familiar grey.
But it was gone even before I blinked my eye. Didn’t even get a chance to say bye.
All I do is pray so that the old fellow does get it much earned retirement.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Get, set, GO
Age changes you a lot. Says the wisely lot.
True is it, I am made to wonder.
Because I see myself changing with each passing birthday celebration.
More quieter and little to announce to the world.
While people around me are running at a pace of their own.
I simply sit back and gaze around.
Women have no gang-ups with one night stands.
Men are desperate to tie the knot early.
Teenagers exactly know how to grow up fast.
Toddlers start running even without crawling.
This is the new age.
Surely the world would be a much smarter place without my obsolete wisdom.
Everything is changing quick.And I am left gasping for breath in catching up with this change
True is it, I am made to wonder.
Because I see myself changing with each passing birthday celebration.
More quieter and little to announce to the world.
While people around me are running at a pace of their own.
I simply sit back and gaze around.
Women have no gang-ups with one night stands.
Men are desperate to tie the knot early.
Teenagers exactly know how to grow up fast.
Toddlers start running even without crawling.
This is the new age.
Surely the world would be a much smarter place without my obsolete wisdom.
Everything is changing quick.And I am left gasping for breath in catching up with this change
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Too grown up?
To old for that pat of dad’s implying, “You’ve made me proud”.
To old for that kiss from mom’s stating, “I’ll love you always.”
To old for that chat with sis assuring, “Nothing can come between us.”
To old for that wet lick from my dog meaning, “I missed you so much.”
To old for that look from the special someone saying, “You mean the world”.
Am I too old for good old fashioned love?
Why does age have to decide all?
Am I not human enough?
To old for that kiss from mom’s stating, “I’ll love you always.”
To old for that chat with sis assuring, “Nothing can come between us.”
To old for that wet lick from my dog meaning, “I missed you so much.”
To old for that look from the special someone saying, “You mean the world”.
Am I too old for good old fashioned love?
Why does age have to decide all?
Am I not human enough?
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Of beauty minus brains.
Can already hear my male counterparts screaming “who cares about brains anyway?”
And thus enters the new hottie to work. Pats an eyelid and all eyes forget to even blink. Flashes her much practiced smile and all of a sudden sunshine arrives at my office. Even the biggest sulk seems happy. She is the only one to leave sharp at 6 and the only one permitted to come late. But she’s the reason behind the broadest grin on the bosses face. The motivation behind the general well-being of all the male colleagues, so what if she goofs up in briefs or fails to meet the allotted targets? All that matters is that she exists. And a souvenir of her presence, every 3 months she’s the only one to get an increment.
While we, the not so lucky ones console our hearts and scream out loud, “mera number kab aayega”.
Actually men are right, “who cares about the grey matter anyway?” Just keep looking gorgeous if not inherited then go for a series of surgery to look your best aka Rakhi or Shilpa style. And let people declare that you’ve arrived.
And thus enters the new hottie to work. Pats an eyelid and all eyes forget to even blink. Flashes her much practiced smile and all of a sudden sunshine arrives at my office. Even the biggest sulk seems happy. She is the only one to leave sharp at 6 and the only one permitted to come late. But she’s the reason behind the broadest grin on the bosses face. The motivation behind the general well-being of all the male colleagues, so what if she goofs up in briefs or fails to meet the allotted targets? All that matters is that she exists. And a souvenir of her presence, every 3 months she’s the only one to get an increment.
While we, the not so lucky ones console our hearts and scream out loud, “mera number kab aayega”.
Actually men are right, “who cares about the grey matter anyway?” Just keep looking gorgeous if not inherited then go for a series of surgery to look your best aka Rakhi or Shilpa style. And let people declare that you’ve arrived.
Monday, June 1, 2009
The WHY’s I have to reluctantly deal with:
Why am I not skinny?
Why am I not drop dead gorgeous who gets out-of-turn promotion merely on the basis of her looks?
Why do my clients keep murdering my copy assuming I won’t even grief?
Why does the client always approve the worst concept of all?
Why do my relatives keep asking about the good news?
Why do I have to decide what to cook at the end of a hectic day?
Why does the hubby not like non-veg as much as I do?
Why is my dog so fussy about food?
Why can’t I have a Gennie who’ll do all the household chores?
The list is endless. I am sure even you’ve to deal with a lot of why’ssssss in your life. Do let me know of some of the why’s those are just as disgusting as mine?
Why am I not drop dead gorgeous who gets out-of-turn promotion merely on the basis of her looks?
Why do my clients keep murdering my copy assuming I won’t even grief?
Why does the client always approve the worst concept of all?
Why do my relatives keep asking about the good news?
Why do I have to decide what to cook at the end of a hectic day?
Why does the hubby not like non-veg as much as I do?
Why is my dog so fussy about food?
Why can’t I have a Gennie who’ll do all the household chores?
The list is endless. I am sure even you’ve to deal with a lot of why’ssssss in your life. Do let me know of some of the why’s those are just as disgusting as mine?
Monday, May 25, 2009
For a change
Between writing copies and re-writing lines as per client’s specifications. I wonder what options I have for an alternate career. Here is my list:
(a) Open a Kennel cum dog boarding facility.
Advantage: No deadlines to live by. Dogs will bark but won’t chase me unlike clients. Moreover I can write at my own whims and fancy. Like whenever a dog bites me, I can dedicate one poem to it. At least that’ll give ample freedom to my creative juices.
(b) Open a Kirana (read General) Store.
Advantage: Open and close the shop at my own pace. No more the axe of time threatening to break me off. In addition I can write a piece or two on the aroma of masala and pickles surrounding me. And if I’m lucky can read a book too.
(c) Become a corrupt Politician.
Advantage: Lots of income without the fear of paying income tax. And all I have to do is sit, throw my weight around, use the scare tactics and once in a while go for political preaching. Nobody will hold me accountable for not keeping promises. Hey, that’s what is expected to people from politics. On top of it, I’ll have crowds listening to every word of mine. While here the whole day we have something on our mind, but not a single soul to hear us out. Plus I never need to retire because I do no work to tire.
These three options look really lucrative to me right now. These are recession-proof without the fear of having to search for another job, incase my performance is not up to the expected mark. Who cares? Just do it for a change. What say?
(a) Open a Kennel cum dog boarding facility.
Advantage: No deadlines to live by. Dogs will bark but won’t chase me unlike clients. Moreover I can write at my own whims and fancy. Like whenever a dog bites me, I can dedicate one poem to it. At least that’ll give ample freedom to my creative juices.
(b) Open a Kirana (read General) Store.
Advantage: Open and close the shop at my own pace. No more the axe of time threatening to break me off. In addition I can write a piece or two on the aroma of masala and pickles surrounding me. And if I’m lucky can read a book too.
(c) Become a corrupt Politician.
Advantage: Lots of income without the fear of paying income tax. And all I have to do is sit, throw my weight around, use the scare tactics and once in a while go for political preaching. Nobody will hold me accountable for not keeping promises. Hey, that’s what is expected to people from politics. On top of it, I’ll have crowds listening to every word of mine. While here the whole day we have something on our mind, but not a single soul to hear us out. Plus I never need to retire because I do no work to tire.
These three options look really lucrative to me right now. These are recession-proof without the fear of having to search for another job, incase my performance is not up to the expected mark. Who cares? Just do it for a change. What say?
Monday, May 11, 2009
Must have in every Copywriter’s life:
* Clients who think they can write and hence require no writers
* Clients who think. “Who reads copy? So why need copy?”
* One liner briefs
* Forever changing briefs
* Uninspiring Art guy who pulls the trigger through your shoulder
* Shady translations
* Writer’s cramp but strangulating deadlines
* Simple and straight copy(read as plain lines for which you don’t need a copy person)
* Copy checking the final print which makes you wonder, "When did I write this?"
* Critical deadline (read as night out with your Art team with no accounting for late hours)
* Above all the infamous quote, “We can’t afford to pay you that much, but you’ll get growth opportunity.”
* Clients who think. “Who reads copy? So why need copy?”
* One liner briefs
* Forever changing briefs
* Uninspiring Art guy who pulls the trigger through your shoulder
* Shady translations
* Writer’s cramp but strangulating deadlines
* Simple and straight copy(read as plain lines for which you don’t need a copy person)
* Copy checking the final print which makes you wonder, "When did I write this?"
* Critical deadline (read as night out with your Art team with no accounting for late hours)
* Above all the infamous quote, “We can’t afford to pay you that much, but you’ll get growth opportunity.”
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